It shall be the responsibility of the Town Council
and its authorized agent, the Planning and Zoning Commission, to administer
the zoning ordinances of the Town.
[Amended 1996 by Ord. No. 305; 10-22-2007 by Ord. No.
2007-425; 1-10-2011 by Ord. No. 469; 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 681]
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consist
of five members, each residing within the corporate limits of the
Town, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the
Town Council. The residency requirement shall not apply to sitting
members of the Commission as of the effective date of this section.
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, other
than their expenses. The term of the members of the Commission shall
be three years, except that the initial term of two members shall
be for one year, and the term for two members shall be for the two
years. No more than two consecutive full terms may be served. If a
member serves two consecutive terms, he or she may not be appointed
again for a two-year period. In the event a vacancy shall occur during
the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the Mayor,
with consent of the Town Council, for the unexpired portion of the
term. In order to provide for a uniform termination date for the Commission
members, the term of any member may be lengthened or shortened by
resolution of the Town Council at any time or by motion at the time
of appointment of a member. Each January the Commission shall vote
for the Commission member to serve as Chairman for the next year.
Members shall notify staff no later than one hour prior to a scheduled
meeting if they will be unable to attend. A member violating this
provision three times within any calendar year shall be referred to
the Mayor for possible removal from office.
[Added 5-28-2019 by Ord.
No. 653]
Any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission may be removed
at any time by the Mayor with or without cause.
[Amended 1-10-2011 by Ord. No. 470]
The Planning and Zoning Commission will serve
as the vehicle for citizen participation in the public planning and
zoning process and shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Review
applications as required by the ordinances of the Town. Make a recommendation
on each application based on the staff report, existing ordinances,
Master Plan, applicable studies and information provided both in support
of and against said applications as presented at the meeting where
said applications are considered. Review and provide recommendations
on other items as requested by the Council or staff.
B. Conduct
an official and open meeting process to allow public comment and encourage
civil discussion of issues.
C. Obtain
and review all staff reports and meeting materials prior to the meeting.
D. Participate
in a minimum of two education programs per year to learn proper meeting
and board procedures and maintain up-to-date on current planning and
zoning issues and practice. Education may include online courses,
courses or speakers held out of Town or within Pinedale, or may include
reading materials on planning and zoning subject matter.
E. Identify
and propose to the Town Staff or Council any ordinance changes or
planning strategies within the Town that may be desirable or necessary.
The Town shall hold harmless the members of
the Planning and Zoning Commission, when acting in good faith and
without malice, from all personal liability for any damage that may
accrue to any person or property as a result of any act required by
this chapter or for the omission of any act in the discharge of their
duties under this chapter, and shall defend against any such suit
through final determination of such proceedings.